Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says ‘highly unlikely’ border will open before July

Struggling Gold Coast cafes and restaurants will discover on Sunday when the next round of COVID-19 restrictions will be relaxed.

STRUGGLING Gold Coast cafes and restaurants will discover on Sunday when the next round of COVID-19 restrictions will be relaxed.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, speaking to media at The Star on the Gold Coast this morning, said a meeting would be held to discuss further reopening — and to review the ongoing response to the pandemic.

“We will be listening to the chief health officer’s advice but also our Queensland Disaster Management Committee,” she said.

“I have a series of stakeholder meetings and we will make decisions.

“My priority is getting Queensland back to work ahead of the other states.”

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“In stage 2 there are provisions for lifting restrictions on having 20 people in cafes and restaurants to more if COVID safe plans are in place.

“I will be meeting with peak industry groups to discuss their plans for opening more cafes and restaurants to people.”

Ms Palaszczuk arrived on the Gold Coast this morning for meetings with tourism and business bosses, as well as small traders.

Later this morning, Ms Palaszczuk will meet with Mayor Tom Tate, Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan and business leaders Martin Hall, John Witheriff, Bob East, Rebecca Frizelle and Rob Borbidge.

The Premier said it was “highly unlikely” the border would be opened before July.